1. What are the similarities between the “tender shoot” in this parable and the mustard seed in the Gospel? In each case, “Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.” What do you think of when you read this? Can the insignificant turn into the most significant?

2. The tender shoot becomes a majestic cedar. In the Gospels, Jesus refers to the “least” becoming the “greatest” numerous times. How is Jesus’ own life an example of this? Can you think of others who followed or now follow this example?

Second Reading
2 Corinthians 5:6-10

1. “Walk by faith, and not by sight.” What does that mean to you? Why would we need the courage Paul mentions twice in this reading, in order to walk by faith? Were, Oscar Romero, Rutilio Grande, SJ, Dorothy Day, and the men who were beheaded by Isis walking by faith or sight?

2. Do you have confidence all the time, even when your spiritual weather is stormy? When Paul says “we are always courageous,” is it true? Are you courageous? Always? What helps when you are not?

Gospel
Mark 4:26-34

1. What is the farmer’s job in both of these parables? What is God’s job? Could you ask yourself the same two questions about your ministry? … about your job and God’s? Are your duties to start discussions or participate in programs against climate change and racial bias? Can you trust God to do God’s job? Does God use our small gifts (the smallest of seeds) to bring all creation into the kingdom of God (the largest of plants)?

2. According to Pope Francis, why is there always hope when we use our mustard-seed-sized gifts? Who is in charge of the outcome?

The Pope also observed that we need to be aware even in the Church of the “weeds of doubt” seen with the crisis of faith and various projects or initiatives that do not seem to work out. The help here, he said, is to always remember that the results of sowing does not depend on us; rather, “they depend on the action of God” and it is our concern simply “to sow, with love, dedication, patience.” The force of the seed is divine, he noted, while the other parable in today’s Gospel explains how the farmer sows the seed and is amazed at how it “grows spontaneously, day and night, when he least expects it,” showing “there is always hope,” even in the most infertile soil.

Angelus for 11th Sun. of Ord Time
June 13, 2021